Grapes grow on vines…so in reading this passage, we think of grapes and
vineyards. This time of year you can see the grapes growing on the vines…and
although the leaves may hide some of the fruit, you can tell which branches
aren’t bearing grapes. In late summer or early fall the grapes are harvested,
plucked in bunches from the vine. If they are left on the vine until after a
frost and the grapes are to be used for ice wine—a very sweet dessert wine.
When the grapes are left hanging on the vine they get sweeter and sweeter.
Other grapes may be left hanging on the vine for an extended length of time,
too…but if they are left on the vine too long, they’ll start drying out and
become raisins. But that has nothing to do with pruning…to get us back to the
scripture. The workers in the vineyard in late winter or early spring can tell
which branches need to be trimmed away—the dead and non-productive wood. So
snip, snip—the worthless vines are removed so that all the energy of the plant
can go into producing good fruit. That’s how God treats us, too. Removing the
useless stuff in our lives so that we can be productive for Him. But the key is
we have to allow Him to work in our lives. We have to submit to His pruning
shears. Can you do that? I’ve struggled with that recently and had to let go of
some rejection and bitterness that I was experiencing—now I’m pressing on and
hoping for a more fruitful spiritual life to share with others.
RSVP: Jesus is offering you an opportunity for spiritual growth by allowing
some pruning in your life. How will you respond to Him today?
Prayer~ Dear Jesus, exciting times are ahead for the people of Israel…and
the whole earth. Just as You promised…"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'If it
is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will
it also be too difficult in My sight?' declares the LORD of hosts. Thus says
the LORD of hosts, 'Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the
east and from the land of the west; and I will bring them back and they will
live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be
their God in truth and righteousness.' ... 'For there will be peace for the
seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the
heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to
inherit all these things." Zechariah 8:6-8, 12. Just as You promised, the
people are coming back to the land of Israel. The vines there are producing
fruit…and I ask that spiritual fruit may grow as well for them. Bless Your
people—there in Israel (particularly Amir Orley and his family) and here in the
Tri-Cities—for they are a blessing to others. Allow us all to be fruitful and
multiply for You.
© 2014 by Mickey
M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted
from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
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